crafty for christmas 2008

Sian_the_Green

rainmac wrote: »

I'm really keen to try this as I think it would make fab original presents but the prices of products I've seen are rather scary :eek:. Does anyone do this or know of anywhere that stocks the glue, varnish and papers at a reasonable price?

Thanks in advance

I think the problem with some of these sites is that they create some kind of mystique around something that is pretty easy. Instead of a special glue or varnish I would use PVA watered down a little (dries clear and shiny) or normal bog standard varnish. For the paper I would guess you could use pretty much anything you want, old wrapping paper, handmade paper (ikea does some great stuff really cheaply), scraps of card making stuff, magazine cut outs. I have tonnes of tiny pieces of lovely bits of paper that this would be ideal for, if you're not a crafter by nature and don't have these bits message me your address and I would be happy to send you a LOAD of pieces. The plain frames and boxes you can get from hobbycraft though I am sure you can find them cheaper elsewhere.

Great idea, might have to steal it... If you don't mind that is

melissa75_2

I was going to say the same Rainmac. I would've thought PVA glue would work fine. For the varnish you could use the varnish you get for 2d decoupage. My Mum gave me a set ages ago and I never used it. Interesting you should bring up decopatch. I was tempted to buy a few paper mache frames last week, but they were quite textured and I thought I wouldn't be able to get a good finish sticking paper on. I never thought of ripping it and putting little bits on. ( I saw the frames in Hobbycraft).
I finished decorating a notebook yesterday. I think it needs something else adding, but I can't find anything that matches. I will probably post a picture later. I found an old filofax today, so I am in the process of taking it apart to decorate. Wish me luck!

rainmac

I think I'll try and get to Hobbycraft later this week to have a look at their frames and boxes and stuff. What I really fancied doing was some of the letters - so would give a decorated 3D 'M' to a Mary for e.g and a photo frame.

I'm always a bit scared of not using 'the right product' in case I give something as a present and it ends up in an awful state Also don;t want to soend a fortune in trying it out in case I'm rubbish, don't enjoy it etc. May try and see what I can do to do it a bit cheaper and see what happens?

rainmac

melissa75 wrote: »

I was going to say the same Rainmac. I would've thought PVA glue would work fine. For the varnish you could use the varnish you get for 2d decoupage. My Mum gave me a set ages ago and I never used it. Interesting you should bring up decopatch. I was tempted to buy a few paper mache frames last week, but they were quite textured and I thought I wouldn't be able to get a good finish sticking paper on. I never thought of ripping it and putting little bits on. ( I saw the frames in Hobbycraft).
I finished decorating a notebook yesterday. I think it needs something else adding, but I can't find anything that matches. I will probably post a picture later. I found an old filofax today, so I am in the process of taking it apart to decorate. Wish me luck!

Good luck with the decoration! Remember to post pics!

Where do you tend to buy your PVA glue? Don't really buy glue if I can help it as I get in a mess with it!

Siren137

Hi all!

Sammy - that sounds like such a good idea! I never thought of adopting a meerkat for her! Sounds like a good place to go explore when we move down there. Thanks!

Shaz - I will have to keep an eye out for those figures and pick one up for her. Thanks!

Sethsgran - Thanks for that info they sounds really nice to make, will def be something I will look into after the move.

Can't wait until the house move is out of the way and then I can wander around and find all the craft shops and get working on my Christmas pressies! YAY!!

Bekki x

melissa75_2

Rainmac, I can't remember where I bought my PVA glue. I bought it years ago and I've still got loads left. It'll probably be quite dear in a craft shop, somewhere like woolworths, wilko or the works might have some cheap.
The frames that I was on about in Hobbycraft were about £2 I think and were quite a decent size. I got a box for about £2 - that was quite big. I also got a little frame for about 60p, I mentioned it before but I haven't got round to posting pictures of it yet.
I'm not doing too well with the filofax. It keeps coming unstuck so I think I'm going to have to use superglue. I hate the stuff and I always end up sticking my fingers together. Despite the lack of stickiness I am enjoying doing it. I am off to finish it now.

shaz_mum_of__2

Siren 137

found this one just for an idea what they look like

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TUSKERS-HENRY-FIRENDS-KATS-CHORUS-MEERKAT-91073_W0QQitemZ350075035211QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item350075035211&_trkparms=72%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C65%3A12&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

What about having a mug made from a photoshop with a picture on too


Anyway i know this is a christmas forum but i have an emergency .....

My sister who has it all has a birthday in 2 weeks i need ideas!!! homemade will only work if it looks like it came from next.............she's the snobby sister LOL

Thought about a stitchery but not sure i will have time ..........anyone seen a sisters type stitchery pattern?

Shaz

sethsgran

http://www.livewellstitches.com

Scroll down to the one that says God made us sisters love made us friends, is that any good. A simple stitchery takes an evening to stitch I love the quick results with it. I have a friend who does a little cross stitch and knitting and who is now really into stitchery.

sethsgran

http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://susiesbittersweettreasures.com/items/pic51.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp%3FMerchantID%3DRET02937%26Action%3DCatalog%26Type%3DDepartment%26ID%3D79&h=355&w=250&sz=15&hl=en&start=7&um=1&tbnid=qkFZjSOQjrxf4M:&tbnh=121&tbnw=85&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dfamily%2Bstitchery%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN

shaz_mum_of__2

Thanks sethsgran for the links but i am a bit confused found the one you mean but not sure what i am supposed to do is there a pattern download ??

Or was it just meant for inspiration ?? not sure my freehands that good so i decided on this



not quite what i wanted wording wise but i like it

have you seen this blog

http://mytransfers.blogspot.com/ lots of patterns to dowload free i love the farmers wife

I have made a start on my stitchery................i had most of the stuff in need a few colours but ok for now............... its not as neat as the one in picture and having trouble keeping stitches even but pleased with what i have achieved so far


Shaz x